The building of historical thinking skills has historically been a lonely endeavor for AP U.S. history teachers. Many often generate their own pedagogy, perhaps modified from an AP workshop or generally gleaned from released exam essay questions. However, as currently scheduled, in 2014, the AP U.S. history exam will undergo a redesign that will…

The U.S. economy took a historic nosedive in 2007-2010. It was the worst downturn since the Great Depression of the 1930s. However, evidence is emerging which suggests the country is in the midst of an economic recovery. In February 2010, the U.S. Commerce Department reported that GDP rose at a 5.9 percent annual rate in October through December…

Compares two instructional strategies, prompting and direct instruction, to determine which produces dialogical reasoning in written essays concerning controversial issues. Participants were 45 sixth graders. Finds both strategies equally productive and concludes that the emphasis should be on providing thought-provoking, issues-oriented social…

An historical analysis of U.S. productivity policy shows that there is no justification for panic. But history also tells us that the vanguard is a vulnerable place. It may take enormous investment and innovation efforts for the United States to maintain its standing as the first among productivity leaders. (RM)

Comparing requires individuals to examine and then identify how two or more things are similar and different. Procedures that teachers can use to help students learn to process information comparatively are provided. Emphasis is given to the appropriate language and vocabulary for expressing differences and similarities. (RM)

This article deals with the selection process of social studies curriculum materials, introducing readers to the major ideas contained in the NCSS's Social Studies Curriculum Guidelines and SSEC's Curriculum Materials Analysis System. (SM)

Presents a study which examined school district scope and sequence patterns for the social studies between 1971-1980 and compared them with revisions being made by the same districts during 1981-1984. Summarizes the research methodology, highlights similarities of the original and revised programs, and suggests how school districts might use this…

Describes a study to extend research of Piaget and Jahoda into children's spatial conceptions. Individual testing and interviewing are discussed. Results indicate differences in rate of spatial stages development of Swiss, Scottish and American children, although Piagets' original theorized stages remain invariate. (Author/AV)

In 1983, elementary and secondary teachers in West Germany were surveyed concerning the treatment of social themes in school curricula. As in a similar survey conducted in the United States, West German respondents indicated that every theme surveyed was important, with nuclear disarmament and environmental pollution clearly considered the most…

Compares 1989 National Commission on Social Studies in the Schools' report, "Charting a Course: Social Studies in the 21st Century," to a similar curricular endeavor during the 1930s. Finds the 1989 version conformist, narrow, prescriptive, overly content oriented, and not reflective of educational research. Because of its academic…

In 1976 Richard Gross surveyed state social studies specialists and local supervisors to determine the status of the social studies. To determine whether the generalizations from his study are still applicable today, a questionnaire was sent to Council of State Social Studies Specialists. Results of the two studies are compared. (RM)